News

Loeb wins British RX season-opener

March 19, 2018

Peugeot Total driver Sebastien Loeb (France) won the opening round of the 2018 Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship at Silverstone Circuit.

On March 17th, the opening round of the 2018 Toyo Tires MSA British Rallycross Championship took place at Silverstone Circuit. WRX competitors Sebastien Leob, Andreas Bakkerud and Timmy Hansen competed in the Super car class on an invitation basis.They were using the event to as practice for the WRX round at Silverstone in May. The event was well attended with over 80 competitors. Although it was very cold there were a lot of spectators.

The World Rallycross contender Loeb took over the lead on the Silverstone circuit and claimed his victory ahead of team mate Timmy Hansen (Sweden). Andreas Bakkerud (Norway), ELS Audi Sport driver, ranked third after dominating the qualifying stages of the event.

“For me it was the first time in the rallycross car this season. It was a first test and finally a first victory, so it was a great start,” said winner Loeb. “I had a successful day, it’s never easy to win even if it’s a national championship. We didn’t really have big ambitions, it was more to get used to the car, to get used to the track and for the team to learn rallycross. The conditions were really tricky in the morning but better in the afternoon so we had the chance to try different setups, it was a good weekend.”

"…lucky for me that my partnership with Toyo means that I drive on a very good performance tire …
... on all temperatures the tire is very consistent which is very important for me when I’m doing that stuff...
…the tire that we use for sliding around on roads like that really works well from the beginning of the wear to where the tire’s almost destroyed... "

-- Ken Block #43, former WRC and WRX driver. Creator of the legendary Gymkhana series

"...it truly is a better tire than any of the competitive manufacturers off road tires in all areas that you would need a tire to perform well at, and I know that from experience. You know the proof is here, I’ve won several championships with the tires and I’m the only person to win two consecutive Baha 1000s."